U.S. says Iran tested rockets near Navy ships
The United States accused Iran on Wednesday of carrying out rocket tests near American warships and commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz last week.
The accusation raises new tensions between the two nations after a landmark nuclear deal to limit Iran’s enrichment of uranium in exchange for lifting economic sanctions.
Cmdr. Kyle Raines, a U.S. Central Command spokesman, said Iranian Revolutionary Guard naval vessels fired “several unguided rockets” about 1,500 yards from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, the USS Bulkeley destroyer and the FS Provence, a French frigate, on Saturday.
He said commercial sea traffic was nearby, but the missiles weren’t fired in the direction of any ships. NBC News first made the report, citing two U.S. military officials.
Much of the oil from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait passes through the narrow strait, which runs between Iran and Oman, connecting the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world. The route is crucial for ships taking part in the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.
Raines said the Iranian vessels announced over maritime radio 23 minutes beforehand that they would carry out a live fire exercise. Iran’s “actions were highly provocative,” he said. “Firing weapons so close to passing coalition ships and commercial traffic within an internationally recognized maritime traffic lane is unsafe, unprofessional and inconsistent with international maritime law.”
Iranian officials didn’t immediately discuss the incidents. Since the nuclear deal was reached, the Islamic republic has aired footage of an underground missile base.